Puberty

Puberty is widely acknowledged throughout the African continent as one of the most critical moments in a person's life, along with birth, marriage, and death. This is the case because puberty marks the beginning of sexual reproductive capacity, and is therefore intimately linked with fertility and procreation, two major concerns of African religion. Given the significance of puberty, there are, throughout Africa, specific rites of passage meant to facilitate the transition from childhood to adulthood. It must be noted that rites of passage, in general, have played a major role in African communities for hundreds of years. They are well-thought-out and effective programs designed to allow a person to move with minimal stress to the next phase of his or her existence. As people go through a series of transformative processes that are a natural part of life, rites of passage, set up by the community, will assist them in their development as human beings. Furthermore, because Africans only exist in community, any personal development necessarily takes place within a collective space, rather than being an individual affair. Indeed, the expected and desired outcome is that the community will be enhanced as its individual members gain in knowledge, consciousness, and wisdom. Their new insights will allow them to contribute to the maintenance and reinforcement of the traditions and social order on which their community was established.

More specifically, puberty rites mark the passage from a relatively asexual world to the adult sexual world. Puberty rites are characterized by specific religious observances and their own set of rituals. Most puberty rites are associated with initiation. The latter, indeed, provides the usual context within which puberty is acknowledged as a pivotal moment, when special instruction becomes necessary. The novices are usually taken away from their daily environment and secluded in a secret place away from the community. There they are taught about life issues, especially as they relate to sex, marriage, procreation, social responsibilities, rules and prescriptions, taboos, and violations. The purpose of initiation is, above all, educational. Through initiation, young adults further learn about the traditions and expectations of their community and will therefore be able to contribute to the maintenance of social order. The notions of symbolic death and resurrection play a key role in the initiation process. The initiates must die to their child self in order to be reborn into an adult self, one characterized by greater knowledge of the world, deeper consciousness, insight, and maturity. Also, those undergoing initiation must take a vow of secrecy. The novices are also tested, which is a critical part of initiation. The testing usually involves demonstrating physical endurance, mental strength, and intelligence. It is often the time when males are circumcised and females excised. Circumcision distinguishes a man from a boy. They must undergo the whole operation without showing any sign of fear and without expressing any discomfort. Failure to demonstrate fortitude would bring shame and dishonor to them and their family.

After the period of seclusion is over, the initiates are reincorporated into their community, and this marks the time of their official rebirth. Their hair may be shaved off, their old clothes may be thrown away, and they may receive new names—all symbolic gestures indicating that they have become new, mature individuals. The reunion of new initiates with their family and community is a communal festive time. All rejoice now that the new initiates are ready to assume their new place in the community.

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